The Masters 2008 - Round 2: Injured Prayad suffers painful exit

Thai star Prayad Marksaeng’s debut in the Masters Tournament ended abruptly when he withdrew after nine holes of his second round due to injury on Friday.

The Asian Tour stalwart, who arrived for the year’s opening Major with a bad back, was downcast after informing playing partners Woody Austin and Bernhard Langer on the 10th tee that he could not continue the round.

After struggling to an 82 on Thursday, Prayad battled severe pain over the front nine and was six-over for the day before calling it quits.

“I would have liked to finish the two rounds but I’m hurt. If this wasn’t the Masters, I wouldn’t have teed it up on Thursday,” said Prayad, who received an invitation from Augusta National to play in the prestigious tournament.

“I can’t bend over to address the ball. There is pain in the back and in my lower abdomen. I tried to get some relief by soaking myself in a hot tub and using ice packs the last few days but on the golf course, it’s not good at all.”

Prayad, who finished fifth in the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit last season and ended the year in 72nd place on the world rankings, said his back started to hurt during a practice round in Atlanta last weekend.

When he checked into Augusta National, he could only manage nine-hole practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday and could not tee it up on Wednesday despite physiotherapy.

However, Prayad, the third Thai to feature in the Masters, hopes to battle his way back into the tournament in the near future.

“This is my first Masters and it won’t be my last,” said Prayad. “I’m going to try and work my way into the world’s top-50. Right now, I need to get home and see a doctor to fix this problem. I’m doubtful about playing in the Volvo China Open next week and will probably have to withdraw from it.”

He expressed his appreciation to Augusta National for recognising the talents of Asian Tour players in extending the invitations and said the fabled venue was simply stunning.

“It’s disappointing and I want to thank Augusta National for extending the invitation for me to play in this prestigious Masters tournament. The greens are so difficult and different from other courses that we play on.

“My tee shots were good but I had problems with my irons. I always took one club more as I wasn’t swinging it normally. Next time I’m here, I will take two weeks to prepare for the Masters if I can get my way back here again.”